In this activity students convert major events in Earth history from years before present into scale distances. After a list of events and their scale distances have been formulated, students construct a geologic time scale on 5 meters of adding machine paper, beginning with the formation of the Earth. Students will investigate change through geologic time; design, construct and interpret a model of geologic time; relate major events in Earth history to the geologic time scale; and compare and relate the span of Earth history to events of historical time and of the human lifetime. Some sample events and their approximate relative ages are included.

Intended for grade levels:

Intermediate (3-5)

Middle (6-8)

High (9-12)

Type of resource:

For the classroom:

Classroom activity

Subject:

Geological Sciences:

Geologic time

Technical requirements:

No specific technical requirements, just a browser required

Cost / Copyright:

No cost

Copyright and other restrictions information is unknown

DLESE Catalog ID:DLESE-000-000-008-497

Educational standards:

National Science Education Standards (NSES):

K-4:

Unifying concepts and processes:

Evidence, models, and explanation

A - Science as inquiry:

Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

D - Earth and space science:

Changes in earth and sky

5-8:

Unifying concepts and processes:

Evidence, models, and explanation

A - Science as inquiry:

Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry

D - Earth and space science:

Earth's history

9-12:

Unifying concepts and processes:

Evidence, models, and explanation

D - Earth and space science:

Origin and evolution of the earth system

National Geography Standards:

Environment and society:

How physical systems affect human systems

The uses of geography:

How to apply geography to interpret the present and plan for the future

The world in spatial terms:

How to use maps and other geographic representations, tools, and technologies to acquire, process, and report information